How gay friendly is the cruise line?

[Willem]

Hi there,

Me and my boyfriend are going on our first Disney Cruise in August 2008. We were wondering how gay friendly this cruise is. We're a bit worried about dinner, since it seems that we'll share a table with other people. Hope they will be nice with us...

 

[OrlandoMike]

I've cruised Disney many times, and have never, ever had any sort of problem.

The CM's are great, and the guests doet even bat an eye!

 

[jewelmicky]

I just booked our 3rd DCL trip...1st time as a couple, 2nd time with our baby daughter, and this time with the extended family.

The only time we had anyone even do a double take was during the couples spa treatment....that was in 1997.....doesn't seem that long ago, but things have changed even since then. I think okur families are much more visible now...people are more used to seeing us out and about.

During the 1st cruise we shared a table with a couple from England...they never asked, and we never told....but they were very nice.

The 2nd cruise was 4 years ago with our then 2 year old daughter....we
shared a table with another young couple with a daughter about the same age...not alot of interaction, the kids were mostly grumpy.
I'm excited this time to see what happens with our mixed group.

 

[OKW Lover]

We cruised Disney in 2001 with our daughter & her partner. No problems at all from the cruise people (crew or passengers).

Of course, you are also asking about the other passengers. As you might expect, you'll get a range of reactions. If it turns out that you are seated with some people that aren't tolerant, ask to be moved. Disney wants you to have a good time and will do everything it can to accommodate requests.

 

[tiggr33]

I have been on 14 DCL cruises, I have never encountered any problems (related to the LGBT community).

 

[OH 6]

We've been on 3 Disney Cruises. All were good experiences.

Our first was a 3 day - since we had never cruised before we wanted to start out slow...had nice tablemates...older retired couple one was working for Disney at the MK.

Our next we took a married couple with us on a 7 day...very nice table mates...we all had someone to hang out with that we knew and the other 2 couples at the table were very accepting also.

Our last was the 14 day Transatlantic to Europe...that was our best and most fun since by then we had found the Disboards...got involved in the precruise activities and thread -so we knew lots of people before we got onboard. I'd recommend that you check the roll-calls for the cruise you booked and start making some friends on here. Some of the disboarders even hooked their reservations together so they could sit together as a group. We took our chances and had 4 great tablemates...another retiree couple that had kids working for Disney and the VP of HR at the Disney Studios and her husband...very cool people to dine with - very accepting. Our waitstaff was very cool too.

We've never had any issues, odd looks, bad comments or anything from guests or staff.

We definitely recommend making acquaintances on the boards here and like others have said, in the unlikely event that you do encounter any issues, let the dining room lead staff and they'll reseat you. But, most of all, enjoy every day you can on board - they go by very quickly.

 

[zulemara]

I've been on two DCL encounters. One was the 3 day while I was on the college program and the second was a 7 day over spring break.

Both times I was seated with other cast members. This is Disney policy and I generally enjoy it. My boyfriend and I never encountered any problems even with other guests. I got a few odd looks from parents as I carried on 2 half yards of margarita from mexico but the kids loved it!


Now in terms of cast members, we were celebrating our 6 month anniversary of dating. We were brought a cake after dinner after most of the dining room cleared because my bf does not like public attention(I say bring it on, read my upcoming trip thread for more details =) ) We couldn't eat all the cake and on our way out of the dining room, the head waiter made a comment like "we know where THAT cake is gonna end up" or something of that nature. That absolutely floored my bf because he has never experienced acceptance.

All in all, don't worry! a DCL vacation is the best! Relax and enjoy being pampered!

 

[shazen]

I'm going to piggyback on this thread, rather than start my own, because I have a related question... While I don't have any concerns about DCL staff, should I anticipate any issues with local officials during shore excursions?

Specifically, my partner and I have two daughters and I'm wondering if we're going to be detained or questioned when we go ashore or when we reboard the ship. We'll have the kids' passports of course, but should we also bring the adoption papers to prove we're their parents? We're men, if that has any bearing on the situation.

We'll be on the 7/20/08 4-night cruise in case anyone from these boards is also going. We would love to meet up with some adults since the kids will (hopefully) be in the kids' club much of the time!

Thanks,

Scott

 

[hematite153]

Specifically, my partner and I have two daughters and I'm wondering if we're going to be detained or questioned when we go ashore or when we reboard the ship. We'll have the kids' passports of course, but should we also bring the adoption papers to prove we're their parents? We're men, if that has any bearing on the situation.

My experience with cruise ship shore excursions is that they are fairly relaxed--generally they count on the cruiseline to check that everything is in order when you board. So, if you have a card for the ship, they assume that your paperwork is good.

However, returning to the US, at the end of the trip, can be a bigger issue. For most people, it is a matter of getting your passport checked and getting a sticker. However, some people will get pulled aside and scrutinized further.

I have had friends who were straight couples with bio children pulled aside to have their kids birth certificates scrutinized by US immigration. So, if I were you, I'd probably bring at least a copy of their adoption certificates, because, according to Murphy, if you have them you won't need them.

 

[OrlandoMike]

These are my thoughts.

If your taking a 3 or 4 day cruise, why get off the ship in the Bahamas at all? Most of what the over priced and somewhat shady shore excursions offer can be done on your last day at Castaway Cay, or here in Orlando, under the watchful and trustful eye of Disney. I'm not saying anything bad about the Bahamas or their people, but when you pull into dock in the morning look around, that's what it is! (Hint #1, get up early and grab a coffee and watch the ship dock in Nassau! It turns on a dime! It really is something to see!) There are casinos, and if you two want some down time swing by the day care, and trust me your kids will be in the day care, and let them know you are going to leave the ship for a few hours to tour a hotel (Gamble!)

(Hint #2, make sure the girls get a tour of the "kids daycare" for their age group. They really do think they are on vacation from you, and you will have to beg them to come to dinner with you! Disney has an awsome kids program!)

Disney has plenty to offer on board to keep you and your kids occupied during a day in the Bahamas! (Hint #3 Everyone else leaves the ship, leaving you alone with all of the crew! Great service on those days!)

Your last day will be spent at Castaway Cay, the girls can get their hair braided, pet stingrays, snorkel, and do "Kids activities" all under the supervision of Disney!

If you do decide to get off the ship I don't think you will have any problems. Heck give DCL a call, they will have answers for you if there have been any issues. I'm sure your not the first to do this!

Now...... how excited are you?

 

[hematite153]

If your taking a 3 or 4 day cruise, why get off the ship in the Bahamas at all?

Exactly what I've been thinking for any future cruises....

 

[Scoobypop]

Nice to see Nicholas and Mike already responded here, and nice to see you guys!

My boyfriend and I were also on the Transatlantic, which was also our 3rd. We have two more booked. You've already read enough people telling you it will be great, and they are right.

We have had couples massages without a bat of an eyelash, and when we were in Palo on our anniversary, a chocolate plate arrived with dessert that said "Happy Anniversary", and it was great.

 

[Topper]

My partner and I sailed the Magic Eastern New Year's cruise 2003/2004 for our 20th anniversary. We had a 1 bedroom suite (8602). The first night, we were in the room when the steward arrived and he asked if we wanted the sofa bed made, we declined and he didn't bat an eye. Since we had concierge service we had arranged to have a table for 2 for dining and our servers were really great. We had our anniversary dinner at Palo and PJ (he used to be the restaurant manager of Palo, and he's family) presented us with our anniversary dessert (cake with a chocolate anniversary banner on top).

Enjoy your cruise, we did

 

[shazen]

Thanks for the input! I think maybe we'll stay aboard when we're in Nassau. We were there some years ago and I don't think we'll be missing much!

 

[hematite153]

My partner and I sailed the Magic Eastern New Year's cruise 2003/2004 for our 20th anniversary. We had a 1 bedroom suite (8602). The first night, we were in the room when the steward arrived and he asked if we wanted the sofa bed made, we declined and he didn't bat an eye. ...

Thanks for the reminder....

When we arrived in our stateroom on the Wonder (small inside) the beds were initially made up as a double. The steward did ask if we wanted them separated, but, wasn't surprised by our statement that we preferred them together.

This in contrast to when we sailed with Carnival for our honeymoon (which was noted on our reservation) and arrived with the bed(s) separated and the steward forgot that they were supposed to be together on two other occasions during the cruise.

 

[krhardy]

to the OP...I am not gay, but I enjoy the banter on this board, so pardon my intrusion. I find most of the posts on the GALAD board friendlier than many of the other areas of the DIS. That being said, DH and I are about to take our 3 kids on our 5th Disney Cruise. And, while I can tell you that there are some people out there that are ALWAYS going to find something to complain about, as a non-gay parent, I would have NO problem being seated with a gay family. As long as the kids are as well behaved as can be reasonably expected from kids, I personally enjoy meeting and talking to people from different parts of the country. I also know that I cannot fathom the biggotry that has to be faced sometimes. Please don't think that I am trying to downplay that. I know that you already know if people have a problem, it is THEIR problem. I hope you have a great time! I know we will.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Specifically, my partner and I have two daughters and I'm wondering if we're going to be detained or questioned when we go ashore or when we reboard the ship. We'll have the kids' passports of course, but should we also bring the adoption papers to prove we're their parents? We're men, if that has any bearing on the situation.

Any adoptive parent (any parent, really, but double for adoptive parents) traveling internationally ought to have as much documentation as possible on their relationship with their kids, just in case. I don't know that being gay or male will make it any more pressing, but my parents were told that they should always have court papers for their adopted child with them when crossing borders.

 

[epcotrulz]

We've gone on two Disney cruises, one 4 night and the 11 night Medit. Both times we requested a "private table" and we're seated by ourselves. Not that we are anti-social by any means. But at dinner time we like to be with just each other. I tend to make friends at the pool and bar.

 

[Joshua_me]

These are my thoughts.

If your taking a 3 or 4 day cruise, why get off the ship in the Bahamas at all?

Oh, I don't know. We sailed into Nassau this past July. Not on Disney, but on Carnival's 'Sensation'. (not very gay friendly, btw... sort of like a 'floating Wal-mart', really, we heard a couple of nasty comments from drunken rednecks.... )

But anyhoo... Back to Nassau.... You can get off the ship and just walk around the city blocks by the docks... Kinda fun shopping in a touristy sort of way... Check out the shops, get a drink at the Hard Rock, if you don't like it, just walk back to the ship....it's at the very least something interesting to do....

 

[Footnotegirl]

Off Topic to Topper:
I can't PM you, from your picture posted 12/26.. That's Jean, yes? He's back on the ship? Do you know if he's sailing in April? Must know, as will move heaven and earth to have him as server again.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled program, and apologize for the interruption.